I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center — Attraction in Danville

I could not be more impressed by the wonderful theatre program at I CAN DO THAT Theatre Company. My 11-year old daughter and 8-year-old son had been involved in other local theatre programs over the last three years, and I always enjoyed seeing the children perform. It wasn't until we saw our first ICDT production, however, that we all realized what we'd been missing. The energy! The polish! The verve! And not just from the older kids, or from a few superstar performers, but from the entire group. We knew our family had to be part of it.

Founders Shayna and Jarusha set high expectations for their young actors, and they run rehearsals designed to teach, to inspire, and to get the best performance from each child, whether they're singing, dancing, or simply learning to take up space onstage. Like Mary Poppins, Shayna and Jarusha are firm but kind. And fun, too. And the final result is a production all the children can be proud of, teaching the kids a level of professionalism that we haven't found in other children's theater programs.

The kids audition for roles before the beginning of the season. The cast is split into groups. For the most recent performance, there were three casts: two casts featuring teenage actors in main roles, and a third cast featuring the junior members (ages 8-12) in the main roles. All actors perform in all performances. If a child is a main role in one cast, he or she will be in the ensemble during the other cast's performances. This method allows more kids to have leading roles, and it gives everyone a chance to shine in the ensemble.

As the season was getting started, I was a little nervous about the time commitment. All performers go to 2-hour rehearsals twice a week, and featured dancers or actors with leading roles sometimes have a third 2-hour rehearsal thrown in. Tech week, the week leading up to the first weekend of performances, requires 5-hour rehearsals every night, which can be a lot on top of going to school, doing homework, and trying to squeeze in a bath every now and then. I was sure my introverted, sensitive 11-year-old would collapse. But we braced ourselves for it, did a lot of zen breathing, and in the end, my little actor said all the work was 100% worth it. She had the time of her life, made some new friends, and she was heartbroken when it was over. She cannot wait for her next chance to be in an ICDT production. Theater is her happy place, her place to express herself and come out of her shell. Her experience with ICDT has been nothing short of life-changing, giving her a taste of how good it feels to find her passion, and infusing her with confidence to continue to pursue her dreams. And watching her light up the stage filled this mother's heart with pure joy.

We plan to be part of ICDT for years to come. Next year, little brother will...

Highly recommend this theatre company. We watched a couple of their shows this past year and were thoroughly entertained. Not being very knowledgeable in theatre myself, I hadn’t heard of the musicals they put on, but so glad I didn’t let that discourage us. They’ve exposed my kids to stories and music I wouldn’t have thought to introduce them to.

After watching the Pajama game, even my 5 year old, whom initially I wasn’t even sure I should bring, was begging me to take her to watch it again. My girls were singing the catchy songs for weeks after. I was so impressed by the talented young kids on stage, and it was clear how much fun they were all having.

My 8 year old ended up joining the Pippin cast and fell in love with the story and enjoyed every moment. She’s gained so much confidence and has made so many sweet and supportive friends that share her love of musical theatre. She really feels free to be herself there which I love to see.

Shayna and Jarusha are so talented, passionate, warm, and positive. My daughter adores them both, and all these kids will continue to grow so much under their direction and guidance. We are incredibly lucky and thankful they followed their dreams to open up this amazing studio right in...

My niece just performed and sang this weekend in the musical, "The Music Man," presented by I Can Do That! Performing Arts Center. The production and performance was sooo good that the audience erupted into vigorous applause and cheering in simple delight and appreciation throughout the performance. I was actually moved almost to tears when the town librarian character Marian Paroo exquisitely sang the culminating song, "Till There Was You," which expressed her appreciation for the joy that the character Harold Hill brought, albeit unintentionally, to the small town he was out to swindle. As I was watching this large theatrical troupe of young boys and girls move through the stage in their rendition of this musical, it dawned on me how exuberant, expressive, dedicated, and stellar each and everyone of their performances were! What a feat it must have taken to bring out the very best and the most professional of performances from all of these wonderful young people. I came out this Saturday afternoon in awe of the gift that this local non-profit theatre company, I Can Do That!, has brought to these young people -- pride and accomplishment in giving a lot of their all in bringing to life so excellently...